Patents Issued in January 29, 2019
  • Patent number: 10188435
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for tensioning a tether. In one embodiment, a tether tensioning device is provided and includes an elongate shaft adapted to be positioned adjacent to a bone anchor implanted in bone, and a tensioning mechanism pivotally associated with the elongate shaft and adapted to couple to a tether seated across the bone anchor and to pivot relative to the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to the tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Mickiewicz, John Riley Hawkins
  • Patent number: 10188436
    Abstract: A device for delivering a material to an orthopedic target site is disclosed. The device can be used to deliver bone cement to an intra-vertebral site. The device can have a pusher rod within a tube. The tube can be loaded with the bone cement distal to the pusher rod. The pusher rod can have varying rigidity along the length of the pusher rod. The tube and pusher rod can navigate tortuous pathways from a percutaneous or transcutaneous insertion en route to the target site or to improve extracorporeal ergonomics. Methods for using the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: LOMA VISTA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Q. Tilson, Mark C. Scheeff
  • Patent number: 10188437
    Abstract: A bone stabilizing plate includes two plate portions, each affixable to bones of a patient, the plate portions telescoping together with mating rails and grooves. A limiter associated with one of the plate portions sliding engages one a catch associated with the other of the plate portions, when the plate portions are telescoped together, and resists stops telescoping when the plate portions are telescoped a predetermined distance apart. Once the limiter and catch are engaged, the plate portions enable imposition of a minimum compressive force between bones connected to the plates. The limiter is resiliently positioned to deflect into a relief formed in its respective plate portion. A groove positioned proximate the catch enables free telescoping motion limited by the engagement of the catch and limiter, whereby the minimum compressive force between bones is maintained, and Wolfe's Law may apply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Angelucci, Michael Black, Brian Garvey, James Himmelberger, Colm McLaughlin, Robert W. Trout
  • Patent number: 10188438
    Abstract: A bone plate is provided including a first slot oriented along a longitudinal axis and a slider longitudinally displaceable along the first slot, said slider including a second slot oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SKELETAL DYNAMICS, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge L. Orbay, Thomas H. Norman, Christian Martin, Wilbert L. Duenas
  • Patent number: 10188439
    Abstract: A modular bone fixation linkage includes a plurality of interconnected links that can angulate with respect to an adjacent one of the links about at least one axis, such as three axes. The links can further include fixation holes that are configured to receive bone anchors that secure the links to an underlying anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William N. Woodburn, Jason S. Chan, Mark P. Grady, Robert J. Schoutens
  • Patent number: 10188440
    Abstract: A method for delivering multiple substances in a delay fashion to a bone of a patient is provided. The method includes providing a cannulated bone screw, creating an aperture in the skin of a patient, and inserting the bone screw into a bone of the patient through the aperture. The method further includes delivering a first substance into the bone through the bone screw, wherein the first substance changes over time into a solid hardened material, and then delivering a second substance into the bone through the bone screw after the first substance changed into a solid hardened material. The solid hardened material of the first substance may be a permeable material that allows the second substance to transport through, or the second substance may transport through the first substance by diffusion, or may reach a desired location in the bone through pores or cracks in the hardened solid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Spinal Generations, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick J. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 10188441
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drug delivery implant implanted into a bone. The drug delivery implant includes an implant fixture provided with an inlet formed at the upper end thereof and a drug supply cartridge coupled to the fixture, the drug supply cartridge includes a cap to close the inlet of the fixture and a cartridge main body provided under the cap, coupled with the cap and accommodated in the fixture to release a drug, and a cartridge hole to accommodate the cartridge main body and drug channels to guide the drug released from the inside of the cartridge main body to the outside of the fixture are formed in the fixture. The drug delivery implant may continuously administer the drug into bone tissues and mount the drug cartridge together with the cap in the fixture, thus facilitating mount of the drug cartridge in the fixture and replacement of the drug cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COOPERATION GROUP OF KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Seong-Hun Kim, Jung Sun Heo, Eun-Cheol Kim
  • Patent number: 10188442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone screw comprising a screw body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis and a thread along all or a portion of said screw body; a screw head; a through bore extending coaxially through said screw head and through said screw body from the proximal end up to the distal end; at least three blind channels angularly-disposed around the bore; each of said channels being configured to receive a perforated catheter or a needle; a plurality of radially-disposed fenestrations; wherein each of said channels is connected to an exterior of said screw body through at least one fenestration; and flexible directing means secured to the screw head. The present invention also relates to a system comprising such bone screw, to a method of delivering a substance to an intervertebral disc using the system according to the invention and to a method of treating vertebral tumor using the system according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CM DEVELOPPEMENT
    Inventor: Christian Mazel
  • Patent number: 10188443
    Abstract: A bone cement mixing and delivery device includes a shaft extending along an axis from a first end to a second end and including a passageway. The first end includes an adapter having a first opening that is in communication with the passageway. The second end includes a second opening that is in communication with the passageway. The shaft includes a mixing portion between the first and second ends. A connector includes a central portion that that is coupled to the adapter. The central portion includes a channel that is in communication with the first opening. The connector includes first and second ports that extend from the central portion. The first port includes a first lumen that is in communication with the channel. The second port includes a second lumen that is in communication with the channel. Methods of use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic Holding Company Sárl
    Inventors: Neil S. Sasaki, Samuel Lee, Ankit K. Mehta, Craig E. Lauchner
  • Patent number: 10188444
    Abstract: A cryogenic needle probe having a proximal and distal region. A cooling supply tube provides pressurized cooling fluid within the needle. The proximal region is more conductive that the distal region. The proximal region is conductively coupled to a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MyoScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fourkas, Ronald Williams, John Allison
  • Patent number: 10188445
    Abstract: Neuromodulation cryotherapeutic devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A cryotherapeutic device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include an elongated shaft having distal portion and a supply lumen along at least a portion of the shaft. The shaft can be configured to locate the distal portion intravascularly at a treatment site proximate a renal artery or renal ostium. The supply lumen can be configured to receive a liquid refrigerant. The cryotherapeutic device can further include a cooling assembly at the distal portion of the shaft. The cooling assembly can include an applicator in fluid communication with the supply lumen and configured to deliver cryotherapeutic cooling to nerves proximate the target site when the cooling assembly is in a deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Naomi Buckley, Benjamin J. Clark, Michael Cummins, Danny Donovan, Mark Gelfand, Luke Hughes, Brian Kelly, Gary Kelly, Grace Kelly, John Kelly, Mark S. Leung, Gwenda Francis, Barry Mullins, Karun D. Naga, Stephen Nash, Eric Ryba, Fiachra Sweeney, Vincenzo Tilotta, Roman Turovskiy, Lana Woolley, Denise Zarins, Michael Turovskiy
  • Patent number: 10188446
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical generator including a resonant inverter having an H-bridge and a tank. The tank includes a transformer including a first core half, a second core half, a primary winding, and a secondary winding having a number of turns, wherein each turn is separated by a gap. The transformer is configured to provide a parallel capacitance based on the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joshua H. Johnson, James A. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10188447
    Abstract: A connection system for an electrosurgical instrument comprises first and second connectors capable of being mated one with the other, the first connector (5) being associated with an electrosurgical generator (1) and the second connector (12) being associated with the electrosurgical instrument (9). The first and second connectors each include at least three connector components, each of the three connector components of the first connector (5) being capable of being connected and disconnected to a to respective one of the three connector components of the second connector (12). When the first connector components (14, 19) are connected to each other they are capable of delivering an RF energy output from the electrosurgical generator (1) to the electrosurgical instrument (9). When the second connector components (16, 22) are connected to each other they are capable of delivering a supply of ionizable gas to the electrosurgical instrument (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GYRUS MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Philip John Warren
  • Patent number: 10188448
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator and an instrument coupled to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical generator includes an output stage configured to generate the electrosurgical energy at a plurality of radio frequencies, a plurality of sensors configured to sense a voltage waveform and a current waveform of the electrosurgical energy, and a controller coupled to the output stage and the plurality of sensors. The instrument supplies the electrosurgical energy to the tissue. The controller of the electrosurgical generator is further configured to calculate at least one parasitic parameter based on the electrosurgical energy at the plurality of frequencies and control the output stage based on the at least one parasitic parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 10188449
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The electrosurgical generator includes: a power supply configured to output DC power; an inverter coupled to the power supply, the inverter including a plurality of switching elements; and a controller coupled to the inverter and configured to signal the inverter to simultaneously generate based on the DC power a radio frequency heating waveform and an electroporation waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: James A. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10188450
    Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shafts, each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one jaw member is configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. A trigger assembly includes a trigger and at least one linkage coupled to the trigger and to the blade such that rotation of the trigger translates the blade between the retracted and the extended position. An interference member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position is also provided. The interference member is configured to engage the linkage(s) when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Thomas W. Meiser, William J. Dickhans, Steven E. Butcher, Dennis W. Butcher
  • Patent number: 10188451
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing, a shaft affixed to the housing,. and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end of the shaft. The forceps also includes a tubular reciprocating sleeve for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member from a first position in which the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation to each other to a second position in which the jaw members are closer to one another for manipulating tissue. The forceps is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Darion R. Peterson, Sean T. Dycus, Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 10188452
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: David M. Garrison, Paul Hermes, Sean T. Dycus
  • Patent number: 10188453
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an end effector, an elongate shaft, and a handle assembly. The shaft includes an articulation section that is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The handle assembly includes a rotary member positioned within an intermediate section of the handle assembly. The rotary member is rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The rotary member is operable to control the articulation section of the shaft. The rotary member may include opposing thread sections that simultaneously drive lead screws in opposite longitudinal directions, to thereby control the articulation section. The shaft may be rotatable relative to the handle assembly, and the apparatus may selectively lock or resist such rotation based on the articulation state of the articulation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Jason R. Lesko
  • Patent number: 10188454
    Abstract: A system for the manufacture of an end effector assembly which is configured for use with an electrosurgical instrument configured for performing an electrosurgical procedure is provided. The system includes a photolithography module that is configured to etch one or more pockets on a seal surface of the seal plate. A vacuum module is configured to raise, transfer and lower a spacer from a location remote from the pocket(s) on the seal plate to the pocket on the seal plate(s). An adhesive dispensing module is configured to dispense an adhesive into the pocket on the seal plate. An optical module is configured to monitor a volume of the adhesive dispensed within the pocket and monitor placement of the spacer within the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Kim V. Brandt, Allan G. Aquino
  • Patent number: 10188455
    Abstract: An isolating circuit for an electrosurgical generator arranged to produce radiofrequency (RF) energy and microwave energy for treating biological tissues is provided. The generator has an RF channel and a microwave channel which are combined at a signal combiner to enable the RF energy and microwave energy to be delivered into tissues along a common feed path. The isolating circuit includes a tunable wavelength isolator at a junction between the microwave channel and the signal combiner, and can include a capacitive structure between a ground conductor of the signal combiner and a conductive input section of the waveguide isolator to inhibit coupling of the RF energy and leakage of the microwave energy. The isolating circuit can combine into a single tunable unit all the necessary components to isolate the microwave and RF channels from one another while providing a high withstanding voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Malcolm White, Nuwan Dharmisiri
  • Patent number: 10188456
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first electrode assembly includes an outer shaft defining a first electrode surface and the second electrode assembly includes an electrode body extending along and electrically isolated from an outer shaft and defining a U-shape in cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Prisco, Eric P. Detmers, Wenjeng Li, David J. Little, Patrick Richart, Jose Valdez
  • Patent number: 10188457
    Abstract: A catheter and catheter system for treatment of a blood vessel of a patient include an elongate flexible catheter body with a radially expandable structure. A plurality of electrodes or other electrosurgical energy delivery surfaces can radially engage material to be treated when the structure expands. A material detector near the distal end of the catheter body may measure circumferential material distribution, and a power source selectively energizes the electrodes to eccentrically treat of a body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Vessix Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Steinke, Corbett W. Stone, Stephen O. Ross, Brian S. Kelleher, Raphael M. Michel, Donald H. Koenig
  • Patent number: 10188458
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive disturbance reduction device (18) for reducing an inductive disturbance of a signal like an ultrasound signal to be transmitted via first connection conductors (25, 26) of an electrical connector (11), which is caused when ablation current flows through a second connection conductor (24) of the electrical connector. The inductive disturbance reduction device is adapted to induce a voltage, which at least partly compensates a voltage induced in the electrical connector, in order to reduce the inductive disturbance in the signals to be transmitted via the first connection conductors of the electrical connector. Since the inductive disturbance is reduced, a high quality electrical connection can be provided, without necessarily using, for instance, a technically relatively complex and expensive coaxial connector. The inductive disturbance reduction device may be integrated, for instance, in a part of the electrical connector or in a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Franciscus Paulus Maria Budzelaar, Szabolcs Deladi
  • Patent number: 10188459
    Abstract: A flexible tip electrode for an ablation catheter is disclosed. The catheter includes a catheter body and a hollow elongate tip electrode disposed at a distal end of the catheter body. The electrode includes a sidewall provided with one or more elongate gaps extending therethrough. The one or more elongate gaps providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement of the tip electrode relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION DIVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Carlo Pappone, Alan de la Rama, Peter C. Chen, Cary Hata, Jared A. Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10188460
    Abstract: A microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and an inner insulator disposed therebetween and a radiating section coupled to the feedline, the radiating section including a dipole antenna and a tubular dielectric loading disposed about the dipole antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Kenlyn S. Bonn, Richard A. Willyard
  • Patent number: 10188461
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for minimally-invasive selective fat removal from a target area by injecting the area with a solution of photo-absorbing nanoparticles and irradiating the injected area with a beam of near infrared (NIR) light. The NIR emission wavelength excites the nanoparticles to melt fat within the target area so that the liquefied fat can be aspirated from the target area. The nanoparticles may be gold nanorods having aspect ratios selected to produce surface plasmon resonance when irradiated with NIR light around 800 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, ELUX MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Adah Almutairi, Khalid Almutairi
  • Patent number: 10188462
    Abstract: Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MONTERIS MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Tyc, Salman Qureshi, Mark Andrew Grant, Luis Filipe Silva Fernandes, Daniel Prazeres Carreira, John Schellhorn
  • Patent number: 10188463
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided, for measuring an actual length of a fractured bone based on 2D fluoroscopic images of proximal and distal sections of the bone, each of the images including a reference body. Based on the images, a spatial position of a first end point and a spatial position of a second end point are determined, taking into account dimensions taken from a bone model of a bone corresponding to the imaged bone and the spatial positions of the reference bodies. The actual length of the fractured bone is defined as the distance between the two end points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Arno Blau, Bernd Simon, Lars Metz
  • Patent number: 10188464
    Abstract: The subject matter includes a system and method for providing graphical feedback visualizing forces within a joint through a range of motion of the joint. The method can comprise receiving position data, receiving force data, and generating a graphical representation based on the position data and the force data. The receiving position data can include data for at least one bone of a joint while the at least one bone is moved through a range of motion (ROM). The receiving force data can occur concurrently to receiving the position data and using one or more processors, the force data can be collected from at least one force sensor embedded within a trial prosthesis in the joint. The graphical representation can illustrate changes in the force data versus locations of the bone as it moved through the ROM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Orsa Britton, David A. Nolan, William Van Kampen
  • Patent number: 10188465
    Abstract: A method, consisting of receiving a computerized tomography scan of at least a part of a body of a patient, and identifying voxels of the scan that correspond to regions in the body that are traversable by a probe inserted therein. The method also includes displaying the scan on a screen and marking thereon selected start and termination points for the probe. A processor finds a path from the start point to the termination point consisting of a connected set of the identified voxels. The processor also uses the scan to generate a representation of an external surface of the body and displays the representation on the screen. The processor then renders an area of the external surface surrounding the path locally transparent in the displayed representation, so as to make visible on the screen an internal structure of the body in a vicinity of the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Vadim Gliner, Fady Massarwi, Akram Zoabi, Itamar Bustan
  • Patent number: 10188466
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided useful in various procedures, including hair harvesting and implantation, and further including computer-implemented and/or robotic hair transplantation. Methodologies are provided which enable selection of follicular unit harvesting or implanting sites within the same row in a direction of travel of the tool, or by incrementing to another row. In various cases, such selection may be made using a lowest and closest method, overlap-based methods, position-based methods, pattern-based methods, and/or a combination of these methods. In various combinations of the methods, the output selection from one of the methods may be used as an input for one of the other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: RESTORATION ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zhang, Mohan Bodduluri
  • Patent number: 10188467
    Abstract: A system and method for providing image guidance for placement of one or more medical devices at a target location. The system can determine one or more intersections between a medical device and an image region based at least in part on first emplacement data and second emplacement data. Using the determined intersections, the system can cause one or more displays to display perspective views of image guidance cues, including an intersection indicator in a virtual 3D space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: InnerOptic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharif Razzaque, Andrei State, Luv Kohli, Brian Heaney
  • Patent number: 10188468
    Abstract: A medical navigation system is provided for acquiring a depth map of a surgical site of interest in a patient. The medical navigation system comprises a camera, a light projecting device, a display, and a controller. The controller has a processor coupled to a memory. The controller is configured to generate a signal provided to the light projecting device to project an edge indicator on the surgical site of interest, generate a signal to operate the camera to perform a focus sweep and capture a plurality of images during the focus sweep where the plurality of images includes the projected edge indicator, receive from the camera data representing the plurality of images captured during the focus sweep, and generate a depth map of the surgical site of interest using the data representing the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventors: Kamyar Abhari, Gal Sela, Michael Frank Gunter Wood, Kai Michael Hynna, Tammy Kee-Wai Lee
  • Patent number: 10188469
    Abstract: A manipulator system includes a medical instrument which is capable of being inserted into a body; a manipulator which is capable of holding the instrument; a holding detector which detects a holding state where the manipulator holds the instrument; an instruction-receiving part which detects an instruction for operating the instrument; and a controller which operates the instrument only in a case where the instruction-receiving part detects the instruction when the holding detector detects the holding state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatoshi Iida, Takumi Isoda, Noriaki Yamanaka, Kosuke Kishi
  • Patent number: 10188470
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that includes a first input mechanism having axial slots formed in a periphery and a second input mechanism having helical slots formed in a surface. The instrument also includes an insert having pins extending from a surface thereof, the insert coupled to the second input mechanism such that the one or more pins extend into the helical slots, and a surgical device coupled to an end. The surgical device is moved in a first degree of freedom in response to a mechanical driving force applied to both the first input mechanism and the second input mechanism, respectively, and the surgical device is moved in a second degree of freedom in response to a mechanical driving force applied to the second input mechanism while the first input mechanism is held stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Bailey, Simon P. DiMaio
  • Patent number: 10188471
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for controlling manipulator movements at joint range of motion limits are provided. In one aspect, methods include locking one or more joints of the manipulator when the one or more joints hit a respective joint limit by modifying an input into a Jacobian of the manipulator when calculating joint movement of a master control using inverse kinematics to provide improved, more intuitive force feedback through the master control. In some embodiments, scaling and weighting between different joint movements is applied within the inverse kinematics. In another aspect, methods include applying a constraint within the inverse kinematics so that calculated movement of the joints approach joint movements of an identical kinematic chain with applied loads within an isolated physical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Gabriel Brisson
  • Patent number: 10188472
    Abstract: In a coupled control mode, the surgeon directly controls movement of an associated slave manipulator with an input device while indirectly controlling movement of one or more non-associated slave manipulators, in response to commanded motion of the directly controlled slave manipulator, to achieve a secondary objective. By automatically performing secondary tasks through coupled control modes, the system's usability is enhanced by reducing the surgeon's need to switch to another direct mode to manually achieve the desired secondary objective. Thus, coupled control modes allow the surgeon to better focus on performing medical procedures and to pay less attention to managing the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicola Diolaiti, David Q. Larkin, Catherine J. Mohr
  • Patent number: 10188473
    Abstract: Provided is a wire driving device including: wires one ends of which are attached to a movable member; pulleys to which the other ends of the individual wires are secured; driven gears that are coaxially secured to the individual pulleys; a drive gear that is connected to a driving source; and movable gears that are disposed between the drive gear and the individual driven gears and that can transmit the motive power of the driving source to the driven gears from the drive gear. The movable gears are provided in a movable manner so that the movable gears engage with the drive gear and the driven gears when the drive gear is rotated in a direction, and so that the engagements of the movable gears with at least one of the drive gear and the driven gears are released when the drive gear is rotated in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kosuke Kishi
  • Patent number: 10188474
    Abstract: A fenestration drape and a method for providing skin-to-skin contact of a newborn with the mother immediately after birth during a Cesarean delivery are provided. The fenestration drape includes a portal which may be opened and reclosed without compromise to the sterile barrier. The method facilitates the critical contact without interruption and with continuity of sterile field throughout the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CLEVER MEDICAL
    Inventors: Kimberly Jarrelle, Deborah Burbic, Jessamine Niccoli
  • Patent number: 10188475
    Abstract: A drape (600) suitable for covering non-planar surfaces of equipment (1201) is provided. The drape (600) facilitates quick and efficient deployment while ensuring that a sterile field established by a drape portion (601) is not compromised. The drape (600) can include a drape wrapping layer (209) wrapped about a drape portion (601) that is formed initially with two abutting elongated accordion fold stacks (604,605). Non-sterile personnel (801) can handle the drape wrapping layer (209) to position the drape (600) along surfaces of the equipment (1201) without touching the sterile drape portion (601). Sterile personnel can then expand the abutting elongated accordion fold stacks (604,605) to drape the surfaces of the equipment (1201).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Spencer G. Chua, Peter S. Nichol, Michael P. Layne
  • Patent number: 10188476
    Abstract: A medical protective gown comprising a gown body. A centrally located orifice passes through a central region of a front panel of the gown body. A tubular protective sleeve extends forward from the front panel of the gown body, the tubular protective sleeve being located circumscribing the centrally located orifice. A tubular protective sleeve distal end panel is located at a distal end of the tubular protective sleeve. The tubular sleeve is adapted to receive a stethoscope or any other desired medical instrument. A broadened interior pocket is assembled to an interior surface of the gown body to support an upper, broader portion of the stethoscope or other instrument. A flange can be included with the tubular protective sleeve and/or the broadened interior pocket to aid in attachment to the gown body. The tubular protective sleeve can include a sleeve contraction system to contract the protective sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Sandeep Jain, Saachi Jain
  • Patent number: 10188477
    Abstract: A medical cart having a chassis with a plurality of wheels attached thereto; a plurality of drawers supported on the chassis; a temperature-regulated compartment in the chassis; a locking bar pivotally attached to the chassis; a headwall mount attached to the chassis; a display mounted on the chassis; and a positionable task light attached to the chassis. Each drawer includes a drawer lock shiftable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking bar is shiftable between a locked position and an unlocked position so that the locking bar serves as a secondary safety lock for all the drawers and the door of the temperature-regulated compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Neonatal Product Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Norman, Mark Petheram, Heather Fibuch-Townsend, Anthony Hash
  • Patent number: 10188478
    Abstract: A housing (1) for devices with at least one module, which is to be protected against penetration of liquids, has at least one cover (2) that is arranged on the top side of the housing (1). A simple and cost-effective production and maintenance is provided by the outer edge areas (4) of the cover (2) having at least one collar (5, 7, 9, 11), which protrudes downwards when cover (2) is closed and has a preferably circumferential drip edge (12). The housing (1) is provided in the edge area of an opening (13) to be closed by the cover (2) with at least one mounting groove (15), which, when the cover (2) is closed, is arranged below the at least one collar (7, 11), such that a liquid dripping from the drip edge (12) falls into the mounting groove (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DRÄGERWERK AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventor: Michael Gey
  • Patent number: 10188479
    Abstract: A carrying case (500) and handle (504) for accommodating a portable topical negative pressure therapy apparatus (200) comprising a device (202) and a waste canister (204) separable therefrom, the waste canister having an aspiration conduit (274) emerging therefrom is described, the carrying bag comprising an apparatus receiving pouch (502), said pouch having opening and closing means (522, 524) at a lower portion thereof and said handle (504) being directly attached to said apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Andrew Duncan Pidgeon, Richard Mann
  • Patent number: 10188480
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a spinal surgical procedure are described. Specifically systems and methods for calculating global spinal alignment are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas U Scholl, Autumn Sutterlin, Elizabeth Blaylock, Donald J Blaskiewicz, Neill M Wright, Robert E Isaacs
  • Patent number: 10188481
    Abstract: An ophthalmic illumination apparatus can include a movable support. The apparatus can also include an optical array coupled to the movable support and positioned to interact with a light beam from a light source. The optical array can include first and second optical elements. The first optical element can be configured to reflect and transmit first associated amounts of the light beam. The second optical element can be configured to reflect and transmit second associated amounts of the light beam different than the first optical element. The apparatus can further include a drive mechanism coupled to the movable support. The drive mechanism can be configured to cause the movable support to selectively move the optical array such that the light beam is selectively incident upon one of the first optical element or the second optical element. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Vit Ulinskas, Michael J. Papac
  • Patent number: 10188482
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a connection end of an enteral feeding system. The device has a handle, and a plurality of cleaning elements disposed to clean the internal surfaces of the enteral feeding connector. A centering post facilitates insertion of the cleaning device in the connection end, and seals the enteral feeding channel from the entry of contaminants during cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Jane Marie Reinard, Martin Von Dyck
  • Patent number: 10188483
    Abstract: A gastro-intestinal (GI) scope disinfection and sterilization device including a gastro-intestinal (GI) scope having an insertion tube and a universal cord and an ultraviolet (UV) light assembly, wherein the UV light assembly includes a power source, a UV light box operatively connected to the power source, and first and second UV light sources operatively connected to the UV light box, wherein the first UV light source is located within an interior of the insertion tube and the second UV light source is located within an interior of the universal cord in order to disinfect and sterilize an interior of the gastro-intestinal (GI) scope lumen. Also, an external UV light source assembly is used to substantially surround a UV insertion tube assembly and the exterior of the insertion tube in order to disinfect and sterilize a portion of an exterior portion of the gastro-intestinal (GI) scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Phong Duy Bui
  • Patent number: 10188484
    Abstract: A system of components or implements for easily and precisely installing a dental implant, and a method of installing the dental implant, within a patient's jaw, is disclosed. The system comprises a rotary cutter guide and a rotary cutter. Orthogonal slots are defined within the rotary cutter guide so as to precisely position the rotary cutter within the rotary cutter guide as well as to permit the rotary cutter to form slots within a patient's jaw so as to accommodate winged members of a winged dental implant. A method of installation is also disclosed, and the system and method may be utilized in conjunction with the installation of both a single winged implant or a dual winged implant wherein the two winged implants are connected together by means of a connecting bar or plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Jonathon Yigal Yahav, Khasim Ali Khan